This rose bud is blooming on one of the rose bushes that we planted in our herb and flower garden during our COVID-19 isolation this spring/summer. This new bush has given us several pretty bloom events this summer.
coronavirus
When craftsmen signed their work
Back in the WPA days of the Depression, lots of streets and sidewalks were installed. The above images show imprints of a concrete company’s mark. These imprints used to be a very common sight around our town, however the years have taken their toll. Very few sections of original 1930’s sidewalks still exist, and fewer examples of the craftsman’s “signature”. I saw these on a walk today.
This somehow seemed to be a fitting post for Labor Day. Sher and I wish you and yours a safe and healthy holiday, and remember to stay cautious.
Relaxing and enjoying
We’re at another RV park for a few days. This one is in Ohio between Columbus and Cincinnati. This one is gated, with the code provided so the checkin was contactless.
There are lots of rigs, but few people. Probably real busy on the weekend.
The weather is very nice, great for windows open sleeping and comfortable during the day for walking or riding bikes. We’re still being very cautious and doing the “social distancing” things.
This year has been a wreck. Coronavirus, the economy, protests, fires, hurricanes and of course “Political Stuff “. Sher and I are grateful to be able to get back out on the road. Our spirits are raised and we’re feeling more optimistic about things…
Stay safe friends!
Historic 1837 college
Behind the Catholic Basilica in Vincennes, Indiana is a small red brick building. The information plaque on the wall describes Saint Gabriel’s college that was started by the Eudist Fathers in 1837.
You can see a bit of our RV on the far right
Information plaque
Original stone wall visible
The Eudist Fathers were founded in the 1643 in France. and the group is still active today promoting missionary work and education. This old college was one of several historic places we found during our first real RV trip since February since we have been isolated due to that deadly virus. It is always fun to stand in front of an old historic structure and imagine what it was like back when it was built.
Stay safe while your travel, friends, but go ahead and travel safely!
Impressive monument
Sher
While Sher and I were driving around Vincennes looking for interesting things, we spotted the steeple of a large church. We parked, got out and went up to one of the historical information signs. Then we looked to the right and wow, there was a huge structure that looked like a monument you’d see in Washington, D.C.
What we were seeing was the George Rogers Clark Memorial. The monument honors the 1779 victory of General George Rogers Clark over the British at Fort Sackville, on the Wabash River in what is now Vincennes. This was a hugely successful campaign during the Revolutionary War and led to the United States claiming the Northwest Territory from Britain.
Detail of the monument inscription
Francis Vigo, with the Wabash River behind
The State of Indiana built the monument in 1933 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated it in 1936. The site was turned over the the National Park service in 1966, and the NPS runs it to this day, along with a Visitor’s Center and other parts of the historic park. There is a lovely “River Walk” paved path along the banks of the Wabash River, which is the boundary with Illinois.
It was a hot day, however in the shade it was comfortable. We saw a few people out, most without masks, but no problem keeping safe distances. We really enjoyed finding this impressive piece of Indiana and American history!
Stay safe while your travel, friends, but go ahead and travel!
Cautiously getting back to traveling
I guess we had had enough of the isolation, staying at home, watching the RV sitting in the driveway and general boredom. We decided that we would venture out for a short duration trip to see what the world was like in person. Sher and I knew we could not just take off without preparation. I’m in the age and underlying health issues related group. Neither of us want to get the virus. We wanted little or no physical contact with either things and/or of course people.
Preparing the RV
We had plenty of fresh water, the gray and black water tanks were empty. We planned our daily menus, and had more than enough food and drink on board, so there was no need to go to a store. And of course we started with a full gas tank. The RV had not been used other than a couple of day trips since we got back from Texas in February (Before COVID seems like years ago…) so we dusted the inside, put up a new shower curtain, and added a new bedspread and loaded supplies.
Roadtirement back on the road
The RV Park
We found an RV Park about 10 miles north of Vincennes, Indiana, our first destination. They accepted Passport America for half price camping. That was good. But how to interact with the office? I did not want to have to go into it. I called and the park owner completely understood my wanting a “no contact” payment. No problem, they had a mail slot at the office, great for depositing our check. The park layout also was great, as there was plenty of room between sites.
Yep, that’s us being COVID tourists
Sightseeing
We were out and about mid week, thus avoiding what might have been large crowds on the weekends. As it turned out, there were very few people around where we walked about. We saw very few people wearing masks, which is now mandatory in Indiana. Social distancing was not really a problem, as there were only a couple of times where we moved away from nearby pedestrians.
In conclusion
We so enjoyed getting back on the road and staying in an RV Park. Sher and I both had a great time seeing the historic sites and monuments in Vincennes and then in French Lick on the second day. We do not yet feel safe going into for example any restaurants , wineries or antique shops. The frustrating part was seeing some places open and not feeling safe going in. But, we had our own bathroom, food, and our house on wheels made for a very safe “No Contact” outing. We’ll add some posts about the neat stuff we saw, complete with pictures soon.
Been on a break from blogging
We have been taking a break from blogging for a while. Indiana is now in what they are calling Phase 4.5, in other words, things started to open up for Phase 4 and then oops! the COVID case numbers began to rise again. Thus, stop, call it stage 4.5 and hope for the best. The best didn’t happen, and now Indiana is under a mandatory mask order statewide. Indianapolis has dropped entertainment venues to 25% capacity and I think Indy bars are closed again.
Here’s some pictures from our yard:
The mint is blooming
Shells displayed on an old stump
The sage is doing well
Basil, foreground and Oregano
Anyway, we are still “isolating” by not going anywhere where there is the chance of catching this virus. I have underlying health issues. We have been out in the RV a couple of times, but no interaction with others. As we are not going to any shows or festivals this year, we’ve been going through our inventory and listing items on our Etsy Store online. Click here on our Roadtirement Vintage Store to see what we have recently listed for sale.
Stay safe, Keep healthy, Things will get better!
Wow! Look at that thing grow
Here’s a photographic update from Roadtirement’s vegetable garden:
Cucumber July 9th
Same one, July 14th
It will soon be time to pick this cucumber. There are more starting to grow on the vines, so we’ll have more cucumbers as the summer goes on. With the COVID-19 surging in some areas of the country, we don’t know when it will be safe to travel again.
Don’t mess up now! Stay safe and Be smart!
Three herbs and a rock
This is Oregano
Here is the Sage
This is Sweet Basil
And here’s the rock
Here are some pictures from our herb and flower garden. Also one of many rocks in the garden. Look closely at the rock shot, there is another herb, Chives, that is blurry in the background. Landscaping this little piece of of our property, tending it and watching things grow has been one way we have kept busy during our isolation during this pesky COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately the virus still marches on.
Quick, look over here
Well, I guess you don’t have to look quickly at all. But have a look at our Roadtirement green beans and lettuce.
Green beans
Lettuce
With the COVID-19 shutdowns, stay at home orders and our desire to not catch this virus, Sher and I and our son decided that this year we’d try growing some different vegetables in our garden plot. We also increased the size of our garden. So far we have harvested lettuce three times for use on sandwiches. Yummy! And as you can see, the green beans have put on flowers and getting ready for the beans to grow.
Roadtirement 